Today we hear Jesus acclaim: “I am the Bread of Life.” This is one of several “I am” statements of Jesus in John’s gospel. The evangelist uses this literary device as a way of manifesting to us who the Lord Jesus Christ is for us. It follows the marvelous multiplication of the loaves and fish to feed a hungry crowd. It points us to each celebration of Eucharist as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
The refrain for today’s psalm (number 78) is “The Lord gave them bread from heaven.” This psalm links the teaching of the gospel with the first reading’s story of the ancient Israelites being fed with manna that mysteriously falls from the heavens upon the earth during the night. The heaven-sent mana and the heaven-sent Bread of Life are dramatic ways in which God’s loving care is showered upon us.
How does the celebration of the Eucharist help you to know God’s loving and nourishing way toward us? How can you help other people to appreciate God’s nourishing and sustaining care?